The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-07
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

Ft Costs $40, 100000 Year, and We've Got
but Twenty-six Serviceable Cannons.
WASHINGTON, Dec 6.-The annual report Of
The Secretary OF War, transmitted to Congress
to-day, shows that the expenditures made by the
department during the last fiscal year amounted
to $41, 1885, 165 The estimates for the next fiscal
year aggregate $53 338. 40, against an appropri-
alton for the current year of $31. 055. 302. The
Increase is caused by the incorporation of an es-
innate Of 81, 339, 15I for public works. including
river and harbor improvements. the expend-
lures on this accountSfor the current year
amounting to only 81 3OS 409 There is also an
increase Of about 81, 500. 600 in the estimate for
the military establishment and the army and
military academy. The Secretary says:
1.-THE estimates for salaries and contingent ex-
penses for the fiscal year ending June 30 1889,
are considerably less than the appropriation for
the current year The estimates for the mill
tary establishment are based upon the actual re-
quirements OF the service During recent years
the appropriation for transportation of the army
has been inadequate to meet the cost Of trans
porting the army and the failure to appropriate
funds for that service has caused mucn embar-
basement and greatly increased the labor in set
ting such accounts. The estimates for inprov-
ing rivers and harbors represent the probable
cost OF such improvements if approved by Con-
gress."
The report says that the buildings, fortifca-
tions, public works and grounds in the division
OF sne Atlantic are everywhere in need OF repair
and reconstruction. On the entire Atlantic and
Gulf coast line of 2 $40 miles, and the northern
frontier of 2, $50 miles, the sole armament is 142
rihed guns, of which 1l6 obsolete and of
very low power. Even the few serviceable
rifed guns that are mounted but of little
value. Some of them are mounted on old car
riaRes, and all are without adequate protection.
The Secretary refers to General Schofield's
recommendation that at least eight-inch
muzzle-loadIng gun, with appliances for
target practice, and one or more OF
the new breecn-ioading guns and mortars be
furnished to each artillery post with view to
Improvement Of the artillery instructions. He
says, however, that 1.-The department is unable
20 comply with the request, as we have
guns suitable for such target practice and tech
nical instructions. This division is garrisoned
mainly by artillery. four-ffths of the officers
its limits. In no branch of the service is tech
nical instruction and daily experiment and
practice in the use of its weapons de-
manded than in tho artillery 1t is earnestly
hoped that If guns cannot be had for fortif-
cations. appropriations can be made fos the pur-
chase or manufacture of enough guns employ
the artillery and fit them for any emergency"
Touching Geronimo and his fellow-captives
now confined at Fort Pickens and Mt. Vernon
barracks. the report says that they
tented. perform their work with alacrity. and
thus far their conduct has been excellent At
this time it is difficult matter to find for them
n permanent home; for many reasons il is i'm
ing laws they cannot be taken to the Indian Ter
gitory and in the Northern reservations the
climate is too cold for them. Pending a final
decision they can remain where they are in COM
fort and safety.
In the division of the Missouri during the past
year 1t has been necessary to patrol the Oklaho
ma country. in the Indian Territory, to keep
out intruders and to protect the Indian reserva-
tons. A considerable body of troops have been
constantly engaged in this duty, and there have
been no serious disturbances brief history
report difficulty
arose in August last in Colorado between the
authorities and Colorows band of Utes. and it
is said that some effort should certainly be made
for the restitution of their property to the In
dams
The Secretary strongly approves OF the recon-
mendation contained in Gen. Sheridan's report,
touching the extension of all possible aid by the
general government to.the National Guard of the |
different States, and suggesting a system of |
national encampments for State militia at the |
entire expense Of the national government
Attention is called to the fact that the Pacific |
coast Is destitute of Notifications, guns and |
mament of every description while San Fran |
cisco 10 without a single gun which can be fired |
with safety with present charges of powder and /
modern projectiles. Favorable endorsements is |
dation that the present strength of the army |
be increased by 5000 men, and partic ular |
attention is called to the Importance of an in |
Grease Of the artillery arm of the service. and |
certain changes in the present organization of |
artillery regiments The schools OF instruction, |
The Secretary says, afford admirable post-gradu- |
ate courses of study, and it will be necessary,
it is desirable, that every officer should take his
tour of study in order that he may be fully |
equipped for his duty. He trusts that the bill IN
Produced IN the Senate at the last session, requr
Ing the examination of officers for promotion, /
may be passed by Congress. He thinks that the
disabled officers should be at |
retired, and hopes that Congress- will authorize
sufficient increase of the retired list to
plish the purpose.
An illustrated catalogue OF the army medical
museum, he says would be of great value to
science. large portion of 1t is already pre-
pared, and authority from Congress to publish
lt is earnestly requested. A larger appropra-
ton for binding is urgently required.
The Secretary suggests that the number of
court-martiAl trials be much reduced If
provision be made for punishment OF minor Of
fenses without summoning a court martial,
indicated in the annual report of 1885, The
Secretary reDews the recommendation in regard
10 the enactment of laws for the punishment of
civilian witnesses who refuse to testify: for au-
police officers in arresting and holding deserters,
md for revision of the Articles of War,
which have remained substantially unualterd |
here, while in England and elsewhere military |
codes have been modified in accordance with the
of modern times. The Secretary
hopes to submit for the consideration of the
proper committee Of Congress some drafts Of en-
Actments dealing with these amendments to the
law. The Secretary also commends legislation
and making uniform the punishments
that may be inflicted by courts artial; defining
the application OF the statute of Limitation in
eases OF deserters, and giving the liability of
minors TO military Jurisdiction after enlistment.
The Secretary quotes from the report of the
Judge Advocate general end Endorses his recon-
oatlon tnat com mlssloned officers be allowed
extra expenses incurred in the attendance on
general courts martial and retiring boards In
reference to the pay department Of the army |
The report says:
There is frequent cashirp of authority he- |
iween the War and Treasury Depart